Refreshing Outlook: Mariner's Trade Deadline Action

The Mariners finally did something. They made a move that will remedy the gut wrenching feeling that has become all too familiar to Mariner’s fans every time a ball is hit up the middle. Not only will they finally enjoy a player that will make the plays he’s supposed to, he will actually make them look easy. Jack Wilson boasts the fourth highest fielding percentages among major league shortstops since 2006 with .980 FPCT. But he goes beyond that, he will be an attraction, a spectacle, he makes things happen that take base runners away from the opponent, with the veteran cool that says in the face of a bewildered, frustrated hitter “it seems you’ve under estimated my “it”."

Ian Snell holds potential. As much as I am reluctant, as a Mariners fan, to allow a pitcher’s potential to hold any weight in my hopes for the future, I will at least admit, that Snell, at times, will reveal a glimpse or two of high caliber pitching ability. Despite a 7-12 record and a 5.42 ERA in 2008, Snell recorded a 9 K’s over 7 IP against the Cardinals and 9 K’s over 5 IP against the D-Backs. In 2009 he’s recorded a 0.96 ERA with a 2-2 record since his assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis, that includes a 7 IP, 17 SO performance on June 28, but then, most recently, only lasted 5 innings allowing 9 hits on July 26.

The Mariners are here to compete. 7.5 games out of first in the A.L. West and 6.5 games out of the wild card, the Mariners front office, traded for a shortstop to remedy the painful eye sore in the five spot, while shaking things up in the pitching staff. This is, to softly state, an alternate approach taken by the Mariners, and a relief to the fans who have watched the Mariners fade away year after year while the front office seemingly had something better to do then to make a substantive move at the trade deadline. Regardless of how the player deal works out, at that at least Jack Zduriencik has instilled an active approach in the future of the ball club.